(Olivia's POV)Rachel couldn't believe it. Her perfectly composed face crumbled into disbelief as she stared at the property deed in the enforcement officer's hands."This can't be right," she sputtered, turning to Derek with wide eyes. "You said this villa was yours!"Derek's face had gone deathly pale. The lie he'd been living was finally exposed to the woman he'd been trying to impress."Derek?" Rachel grabbed his arm, her perfectly manicured nails digging into his sleeve. "Tell them there's been a mistake!"Marcus, the lead enforcement officer, cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Ma'am, the deed clearly states that this property belongs solely to Dr. Winters. There's no mistake."Oliver began to cry, his small body trembling as he balanced on his good leg. "You can't make us leave our home! Dad, tell her she can't do this!"My heart twisted at his tears, but I steeled myself against them. How many times had this child rejected me? Called another woman "mom" and treated me like a str
(Olivia's POV)I stood in the hotel lobby as Derek rushed toward me, desperation written all across his face. His eyes were wide with hope, as if I was his saving grace in this moment of crisis."Olivia, please," he said, lowering his voice as he reached me. "I know you're still angry, and you have every right to be."I crossed my arms over my chest, my face a mask of indifference. "I shouldn't have let Rachel stay at the house without consulting you first," Derek continued. "That was wrong of me."Derek leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Look, I can have Rachel stay here at the hotel. Oliver and I can go home with you. We'll figure the rest out tomorrow."Seeing my lack of response, he changed tactics. "Or if you could just help pay for Rachel's room tonight? Just one night while we sort things out?"Oliver limped over to us, his injured leg clearly causing him pain. "Mom," he started, then caught himself. "I mean, Olivia. Can't we just go home?"Derek placed a hand on
(Olivia's POV)"Mom! Please help us!" Oliver cried out again when he saw me at the window.I studied them coldly, unmoved by Derek's battered appearance. This man who had lied to me for years, who had kept his ex-girlfriend close while pretending to love me, was no longer my concern.My eyes shifted to Oliver. Despite everything, he was still my biological son. I quickly scanned him for injuries, but he appeared physically unharmed - just tired and frightened."Olivia," Derek called up, his voice hoarse. "Please, just let us in. We have nowhere else to go."I closed the curtains without responding and reached for my phone. After not having to spend money on a husband and son who didn't appreciate me, I had allocated $10,000 a month to hire two very strong guards for the property.I sent a quick text: "Intruders at the front door. Please escort them off the property."Within minutes, I heard deep voices outside. Through the crack in the curtains, I watched as my new guards - two massive
(Olivia's POV)Sarah had business to attend to, so I escorted her out of my office, and the moment I closed the door behind me, I caught a glimpse of the eyes of the people in the hallway, and I could feel my reputation unraveling.And all I could do was sit in my chair, I didn't know what to do, the weight of those lies crushed me. The cell phone rang again, more comments condemning me without knowing the truth.On this day, my patients were canceling appointments. Colleagues whispered in the hallways. The video spread like wildfire, painting me as a monster who abused my own children.A sharp knock interrupted my thoughts. Before I could answer, the door swung open. Dr. Miller, the pack's Chief Medical Officer, stood there with a stern expression."Olivia, we need to talk about these allegations," he said firmly.Behind him were two uniformed officers from the Pack Council, their expressions grim and official."Dr. Winters," the female officer began, "serious accusations have been ma
(Olivia's POV)I stood before the Pack Council, my evidence neatly organized on the table before me. The grand chamber was packed with wolves who had come to witness the proceedings. In the front row sat Derek, Rachel, and Oliver, all looking worried as they should be.The head councilor, an elderly white-haired wolf named Elder Thorn, called the session to order."Dr. Winters, you may present your evidence," he said.I nodded, connecting my tablet to the projection system."I'd like to start with the video from my son's fifth birthday party," I said, my voice steady despite my churning emotions.The large screen behind me flickered to life, showing Oliver standing before his birthday cake, his eyes bright with excitement."Make a wish, sweetheart!" my voice called from behind the camera.Oliver closed his eyes tightly, then opened them with a big smile."I wish Rachel could be my mommy," he announced.The audience gasped collectively. I paused the video, letting the weight of those wo
(Olivia's POV)"I'll get rid of Rachel," he repeated, stepping closer. "She'll never be in our lives again. We can still be a family—you, me, and Oliver."I looked at him mockingly, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. "Impossible," I said, crossing my arms over my chest. "Back when you made my son bent on recognizing Rachel as his mother, you were my enemy."Derek's eyes widened. "No, Olivia, I never did that. You have to believe me."He ran his fingers through his wet hair, leaving it standing in messy spikes."We were both too busy at work," he continued frantically. "You with your healing duties, me trying to build my company. Rachel often took care of Oliver. It must have been her who filled his head with nonsense."I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by his excuses."I swear," Derek pressed on, "in the future, I'll take care of Oliver myself. I won't let Rachel near him again. I promise I'll never give that woman another chance."I grinned at his pathetic attempt to repair what was bro
(Olivia's POV)I shakily grabbed my car keys and headed out the door, Derek had obviously heard the call as well and he tugged on my hand." You need to stabilize yourself, Olivia, let me drive. "For once, I didn't argue. Every second counted.We raced through the rain-slicked streets, neither of us speaking. "What happened?" I finally asked, breaking the silence. "How did he get exposed to dairy?"Derek shook his head. "I don't know. Rachel was watching him while I went to see you."A cold dread settled in my stomach. "Rachel? The same woman who brought buttercream cake to his birthday after I explicitly warned about his allergy?"Derek didn't answer, but his knuckles whitened on the steering wheel.We screeched into the hospital parking lot, both leaping out before the car fully stopped. I ran through the automatic doors with Derek close behind me.Sarah was waiting in the lobby, her face drawn with worry. She rushed toward me."He's in Treatment Room 3," she said, already leading th
(Olivia's POV)Derek's gaze darkened, his expression one of hurt as I pulled my hand away."Don't touch me," I said coldly. "If you want me to save Oliver, stay out of my way."I no longer cared for Derek's feelings. I turned and walked into the treatment room, leaving his wounded expression behind. My only concern now was for my patient - not my son, but my patient.Dr. Miller looked up as I entered, relief washing over his face. "His condition is critical. Standard protocols aren't working."I nodded and moved to Oliver's bedside. His small body looked so fragile, connected to machines that beeped urgently around him."Everyone step back," I instructed. "I need space to work."As Head Healer, I possessed powerful healing abilities that I rarely used to their full extent. But for Oliver, I would channel everything I had.I placed my hands on his chest and closed my eyes. Calling to my wolf, I whispered, "Ava, I need your strength."A warm golden light emanated from my palms, seeping i
(Olivia's POV)I stared at Derek as he proclaimed his love for me, his eyes filled with desperation. Oliver still clung to my legs, his tiny body trembling with each sob. Rachel sat on the floor, holding her reddened cheek, her previous confidence shattered.The room fell silent except for the beeping monitors and Oliver's ragged breathing.I took a deep breath and allowed a small smile to form on my lips."I believe you," I said softly.Derek's face lit up instantly. Hope bloomed in his eyes like wildflowers after rain. His shoulders relaxed, and he exhaled sharply."Thank you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I promise I'll—""I believe that you love me," I continued, cutting him off. "I believe that Oliver wants me back as his mother now."I reached down to stroke Oliver's hair gently. He looked up at me, his tear-stained face brightening with hope."Mommy?" he whispered."But it doesn't change anything," I said, my smile never faltering.Derek's expression froze. "What
(Olivia's POV)I stood frozen as Oliver clung to my legs, his small body wracked with sobs that seemed to come from the deepest part of his soul. His tears soaked through my scrubs, his fingers digging into the fabric as if I might disappear if he loosened his grip for even a second."Please, Mommy," he begged between desperate gasps for air. "Don't leave me!"His face had turned an alarming shade of red, and his breathing became increasingly labored. Each sob seemed to drain what little strength remained in his weakened body."She told me what to say," he hiccupped, struggling to get the words out. "Rachel said if I didn't say those things, you would take me away from Daddy forever."I felt something crack inside me. The wall I'd built around my heart began to crumble at the edges. This was my son—my baby—regardless of the pain he'd caused me."Oliver, you need to calm down," I said, my professional instincts kicking in. "Your body can't handle this stress right now."But he only clun
(Olivia's POV)I looked down at Oliver, his small face twisted with accusation as he claimed Rachel had tried to kill him. The absurdity of his statement almost made me laugh."She didn't try to kill you, Oliver," I said flatly. "She just didn't know how to take care of you properly."I crossed my arms and studied him dispassionately. It was fascinating how quickly children could switch loyalties when their comfort was threatened.If I had some softness in my heart just a moment ago, now all that was left in my heart was discouragement and disappointment.When did my son become like this? Or is the power of genetics so great that at a young age he has picked up the indifference and selfishness in his father and turned into a refined egoist.I couldn't believe that this was the son I had worked so hard to conceive and give birth to, and I understood why he chose Rachel over me. Because at the time, he didn't know that he was dependent on me to provide for him, he naturally chose the "mo
(Olivia's POV)Derek's gaze darkened, his expression one of hurt as I pulled my hand away."Don't touch me," I said coldly. "If you want me to save Oliver, stay out of my way."I no longer cared for Derek's feelings. I turned and walked into the treatment room, leaving his wounded expression behind. My only concern now was for my patient - not my son, but my patient.Dr. Miller looked up as I entered, relief washing over his face. "His condition is critical. Standard protocols aren't working."I nodded and moved to Oliver's bedside. His small body looked so fragile, connected to machines that beeped urgently around him."Everyone step back," I instructed. "I need space to work."As Head Healer, I possessed powerful healing abilities that I rarely used to their full extent. But for Oliver, I would channel everything I had.I placed my hands on his chest and closed my eyes. Calling to my wolf, I whispered, "Ava, I need your strength."A warm golden light emanated from my palms, seeping i
(Olivia's POV)I shakily grabbed my car keys and headed out the door, Derek had obviously heard the call as well and he tugged on my hand." You need to stabilize yourself, Olivia, let me drive. "For once, I didn't argue. Every second counted.We raced through the rain-slicked streets, neither of us speaking. "What happened?" I finally asked, breaking the silence. "How did he get exposed to dairy?"Derek shook his head. "I don't know. Rachel was watching him while I went to see you."A cold dread settled in my stomach. "Rachel? The same woman who brought buttercream cake to his birthday after I explicitly warned about his allergy?"Derek didn't answer, but his knuckles whitened on the steering wheel.We screeched into the hospital parking lot, both leaping out before the car fully stopped. I ran through the automatic doors with Derek close behind me.Sarah was waiting in the lobby, her face drawn with worry. She rushed toward me."He's in Treatment Room 3," she said, already leading th
(Olivia's POV)"I'll get rid of Rachel," he repeated, stepping closer. "She'll never be in our lives again. We can still be a family—you, me, and Oliver."I looked at him mockingly, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. "Impossible," I said, crossing my arms over my chest. "Back when you made my son bent on recognizing Rachel as his mother, you were my enemy."Derek's eyes widened. "No, Olivia, I never did that. You have to believe me."He ran his fingers through his wet hair, leaving it standing in messy spikes."We were both too busy at work," he continued frantically. "You with your healing duties, me trying to build my company. Rachel often took care of Oliver. It must have been her who filled his head with nonsense."I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by his excuses."I swear," Derek pressed on, "in the future, I'll take care of Oliver myself. I won't let Rachel near him again. I promise I'll never give that woman another chance."I grinned at his pathetic attempt to repair what was bro
(Olivia's POV)I stood before the Pack Council, my evidence neatly organized on the table before me. The grand chamber was packed with wolves who had come to witness the proceedings. In the front row sat Derek, Rachel, and Oliver, all looking worried as they should be.The head councilor, an elderly white-haired wolf named Elder Thorn, called the session to order."Dr. Winters, you may present your evidence," he said.I nodded, connecting my tablet to the projection system."I'd like to start with the video from my son's fifth birthday party," I said, my voice steady despite my churning emotions.The large screen behind me flickered to life, showing Oliver standing before his birthday cake, his eyes bright with excitement."Make a wish, sweetheart!" my voice called from behind the camera.Oliver closed his eyes tightly, then opened them with a big smile."I wish Rachel could be my mommy," he announced.The audience gasped collectively. I paused the video, letting the weight of those wo
(Olivia's POV)Sarah had business to attend to, so I escorted her out of my office, and the moment I closed the door behind me, I caught a glimpse of the eyes of the people in the hallway, and I could feel my reputation unraveling.And all I could do was sit in my chair, I didn't know what to do, the weight of those lies crushed me. The cell phone rang again, more comments condemning me without knowing the truth.On this day, my patients were canceling appointments. Colleagues whispered in the hallways. The video spread like wildfire, painting me as a monster who abused my own children.A sharp knock interrupted my thoughts. Before I could answer, the door swung open. Dr. Miller, the pack's Chief Medical Officer, stood there with a stern expression."Olivia, we need to talk about these allegations," he said firmly.Behind him were two uniformed officers from the Pack Council, their expressions grim and official."Dr. Winters," the female officer began, "serious accusations have been ma
(Olivia's POV)"Mom! Please help us!" Oliver cried out again when he saw me at the window.I studied them coldly, unmoved by Derek's battered appearance. This man who had lied to me for years, who had kept his ex-girlfriend close while pretending to love me, was no longer my concern.My eyes shifted to Oliver. Despite everything, he was still my biological son. I quickly scanned him for injuries, but he appeared physically unharmed - just tired and frightened."Olivia," Derek called up, his voice hoarse. "Please, just let us in. We have nowhere else to go."I closed the curtains without responding and reached for my phone. After not having to spend money on a husband and son who didn't appreciate me, I had allocated $10,000 a month to hire two very strong guards for the property.I sent a quick text: "Intruders at the front door. Please escort them off the property."Within minutes, I heard deep voices outside. Through the crack in the curtains, I watched as my new guards - two massive